Iran fires missiles at Israel as conflict widens in sixth day of war
Early Thursday morning, Iran fired a series of missiles at Israel, sending millions of people into air raid shelters. The war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has now entered its sixth day, and the conflict continues to escalate.
The attacks came just hours after the US Senate blocked an attempt to limit military operations.
Republican senators rejected a proposal to halt the air campaign and require congressional approval for further military action. The Senate voted 53–47 against the resolution, leaving President Donald Trump with virtually unlimited authority to continue the war.
The conflict has also spread beyond the region. On Wednesday, a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, killing at least 80 people. NATO air defence systems destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile heading towards Turkey – the first incident directly affecting a NATO member state. However, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said there was no reason to activate the alliance’s collective defence clause at this stage.
The war continues to paralyse shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which a significant share of the world’s oil and gas supplies passes. According to estimates, at least 200 ships remain anchored off the coast. US President Trump has promised insurance cover and military escorts for vessels to mitigate rising costs. However, the US Navy has not yet begun escorting ships, as it remains focused on military operations against Iran.
The conflict is also affecting the global economy. International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that a prolonged war could drive up energy prices and weigh on growth and inflation.
Meanwhile, Iran has postponed the funeral of its slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei. A gathering of experts is expected to decide on his successor soon, with candidates including his son Mojtaba Khamenei and Hasan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic.
(reuters, max)